MEMORANDUM

To: Mayor Janice Philips

From: [Your Name], Policy Advisor

Date: 2024-03-15

Subject: Strategy for Addressing Homelessness and Public Space Management Around City Trails

Introduction:

This memo addresses the concerns raised by residents regarding litter, refuse, and the presence of homeless individuals living in wooded areas near city trails. It outlines a multi-pronged strategy informed by successful initiatives in other cities and relevant theories.

Understanding the Issues:

The memo acknowledges the following key issues:

• Homelessness: A growing homeless population seeks shelter in the woods near trails.
• Public Space Concerns: Residents are concerned about litter, refuse, and safety near trails.
• Daytime Activity: Homeless individuals enter Eastport daily for essential services and work.

Theoretical Framework:

The “Housing First” model is central to this strategy. This evidence-based approach prioritizes providing permanent housing with supportive services as the most effective way to end homelessness [1]. It emphasizes the importance of meeting basic needs before addressing other issues.

Proposed Strategy:

1. Increase Affordable Housing Options:

   • Partner with non-profit organizations and developers to create more affordable housing units.
   • Explore inclusionary zoning policies that require developers to dedicate a portion of new projects to affordable housing [2].

2. Expand Supportive Services:

   • Collaborate with social service agencies to provide on-site support services within housing facilities, such as mental health counseling, addiction treatment, and job training.
   • Establish temporary shelters with basic amenities and referrals to permanent housing options.

3. Enhance Public Space Management:

   • Increase sanitation efforts around trails, including regular trash collection and disposal services.
   • Implement a “Leave No Trace” education campaign to encourage responsible use of public spaces by all citizens.
   • Explore partnerships with homeless service providers for trail maintenance and beautification projects, potentially employing individuals experiencing homelessness.

4. Daytime Services and Opportunities:

   • Support existing soup kitchens, food banks, and other daytime service providers.
   • Collaborate with businesses to create opportunities for casual work for homeless individuals.

Rationale:

• Increasing affordable housing directly addresses the root cause of homelessness, moving individuals from the woods into stable living situations.
• Supportive services address the complex challenges faced by homeless individuals, promoting self-sufficiency and reducing reliance on public spaces for shelter.
• Enhanced public space management ensures clean and safe trails for all users.
• Daytime services and work opportunities provide essential support for homeless individuals while integrating them into the community.

Successful Examples:

• Salt Lake City, Utah, significantly reduced chronic homelessness through a Housing First approach with supportive services [3].
• Denver, Colorado, partnered with businesses to create casual work opportunities for homeless individuals [4].

Evaluation and Next Steps:

• Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the strategy through data collection and community feedback.
• Adapt and refine the approach based on ongoing needs and best practices.
• Foster collaboration between city officials, social service providers, businesses, and the community to achieve a sustainable solution.

Conclusion:

This strategy offers a comprehensive approach to address both homelessness and public space concerns. By prioritizing housing and supportive services, coupled with responsible public space management and daytime opportunities, Eastport can create a more compassionate and inclusive community for all residents.

Additional Research:

• [1] National Alliance to End Homelessness: https://endhomelessness.org/help-end-homelessness/
• [2] Urban Land Institute: https://uli.org/wp-content/uploads/ULI-Documents/Economics-of-Inclusionary-Zoning.pdf
• [3] Shepard, Laura. “Salt Lake City’s Housing First Success Story.” PBS NewsHour, 13 Dec. 2017. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/tag/homelessness
• [4] Denver’s Road Home: https://theroadhome.org/get-involved/

This memo provides a starting point for further discussion and action. Your leadership in promoting a collaborative and evidence-based approach will be crucial in creating positive outcomes for both homeless individuals and the Eastport community.